Concerns movement of horses to Adaes escorted by troops along with mail. Padre Ramirez to make visita of missions. Details of patroling of area. Horse thieving by enemies result in dead horse, soldier, and Indians and partial recovery of horses. Mission Indians used to Spy on enemies. Ripperda can't quickly comply with order to send troops to Bahia. Use of troops for guarding entrances and new fort, patroling activities and aid of mission Indians to guard presidio. Apaches caught in cattle stealing. Comanche theft of horses and oxen from 2 missions and subsequent chase. Complaints of poor condition and lack of horses. (L. L. Woodward, March 1988)

Discussion of detachment of troops made up of troops from Adaes and Orcoquiza due to fear of return of enemy nations. Viceroy orders movement of presidio to Orcoquiza, 2 padres and soldiers remain in Orcoquiza. Desire to repopulate Ranchos, but distance between Ranchos makes defence difficult, suggestion to plant Ranchos with vecinos together under protection of detachment. Rebuilding of Cuerpo de Guardia, houses, prison. Excesses committed by Indians in Bahia and environs under Thobar thus need of troops from Orcoquiza, Adaes, San Sabas, and friendly Indians to punish barbaros. Plea for Ripperda to keep harmony with thobarand's other captains. Soldiers involved in Bahia road building, protecting entrances, Ranchos. Reports of death of Indians and soldiers. Complaints of Indian spying in missions, lack of troops, and horse and oxen theft. Fort establishment. Desire for missionization of coastal Indians. Report of Mal de Lengua disease. Viceroy (?) Discusses defence of province in case of declaration of war with English. (L. L. Woodward, March 1988)

Concerns arguments against use of 300 French hunters from Louisiana to fight Apaches. Force instead to be made of Adaes troops, mission Indians and vecinos. 400 miners request presidio but must seek help of other presidios. Refusal of troops and canons. Shipment of guns, powder and bullets for vecinos' defense.

Rich details of history and settlement of missions and presidios near San Fernando. Founding and abandonment of presidio of Texas. Details of Indian invasion of mission of los Adaes, French and Indian fighting against Spanish. Gives geographical limits of province of Texas, describes fruits cultivated, resources for pasturing, construction, water, wildlife, animals, commerce, mining. Discusses war with Apaches and inability to reduce them. Establishment of San Fernando and population figures. Request for troops in San Sabas; cattle, horses, provisions in Adaes due to Indians leaving missions, ranches needing to be reestablished, Indian war hindering exploitation of land, risk of families leaving. Ripperda responds that movement of troops will be held up until he can provide for detachment to San Sabas. (L. L. Woodward, February1988)

Discusses transfers of troops; need for more defense and arms due to Indian raids on ranches stealing cattle and horses. Movement of Indians and troops from mission on Rio San Xavier to Rio San Sabas. Numerous groups of Indians join Tauayas; groups influenced by Comanche attacks. Pelones and other nations limit communication between presidios. Spanish kill Indians, expropriate Indian horses. 200 Indians spotted 3 leagues from presidio. (L. L. Woodward, February 1988)

Informs of honesty of la Violeta and his mistreatment by Spaniards. Extract by Ripperda mentioning contraband of mules and stealing of horses. Describes offer of Spanish scalp by Comanches to tuacan chief and his reaction. (M. Vasquez, March 1988)

Summary of various letters: 1 - Concerns friendship with naciones del norte. 2 - Refers to Comanche raids, killing of people, and stealing of horses. 3 - Describes unsuccessful campaign against Comanches. 4 - Asks how to deal with peace treaty promised to naciones del norte. 5 - Questions motives for treating groups as enemies that have been promised peace. 6 - Explanations for not following comandante inspector's orders to transfer sick families from Lobanillo because of dangers presented by Indians. 7 - Describes capture of one Comanche group and unsuccessful campaign against another. (M. Vasquez, March 1988)

Concerns previous letters sent by Ripperda. Also includes copy of letter to Ripperda in ff. 83-85. (M. Vasquez, February 1774)

Warns Comanches untrustworthy. Reprimands Ripperda for permiting commerce of weapons and ammunitions with indios del Norte and for letting French maintain this commerce. Advises to cut correspondence with French and governor of Natchitoches and to obey Oconor. (M. Vasquez, February 1988)

(M. Vasquez, February 1988)